Ian Mackman bids to defend TT Privateer title
Current Isle of Man TT Privateer champion Ian Mackman is gunning for the top six at the annual road racing spectacle in June after acquiring the ex-Dan Kneen Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock machine.
Mackman notched two top ten finishes in 2011, including his best ever result of ninth in the opening Supersport race, on his way to wrapping up the Privateer title.
The Runcorn rider is also targeting a 125mph on the notorious Mountain Course this year.
"The TT is the only race of the season for me now. I carried on racing because I discovered the TT and having taken two top ten finishes last season I hope to better that in 2012," he said.
"I'd love to finish in the top six and hope that the new bike will help me to achieve this. The new ZX-10 is making much more power than my GSX-R so I hope that this has been a missing ingredient for me. I guess my main aim is to break the 125mph barrier as I've been sitting at 124.5mph for the last three years."
Mackman will also rely on Kawasaki power in the Supersport races on a ZX-6R and plans to compete at the Scarborough meetings this season.
He has also pencilled in a debut appearance at the Ulster Grand Prix and will contest a full season in the GP1 class at the Thundersport GB Championship meetings.
Looking ahead to the TT, Mackman has identified the Mountain section of the legendary 37.73-mile course as a key area for improvement.
"I believe that my biggest area to improve on is the Mountain. With, hopefully, a good start number again I'll be able to tag on and learn from the top team riders where I can improve here," he said.
"Oddly I always feel like the run from Ginger Hall to Ramsey is my worst; generally I spend a lot of it swearing at myself for being on the wrong line, but once back in the paddock looking at sector times I'm not that far off. I guess that's how deceptive the TT course can be."
Mackman has a hugely impressive record since making his TT debut back in 2007 and having now started 24 races, he's finished 22 of them.
Thirteen of those finishes have been inside the top 20 and with a personal best lap of 124.527mph, he's firmly established himself as not only one of the most consistent riders currently competing on the Mountain Course but also one of the best.
Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Manager, added: "Ian is exactly the kind of rider that we created the Privateers Championship for.
"The TT is rightly recognised as the place where grass roots competitors without manufacturer support can still compete alongside the bigger teams and we wanted to recognise and acknowledge their achievements.
"Ian has performed consistently since his debut in 2007 and will again be one to watch this year."
